Key Takeaways:
- Fans were in disbelief when Sarfaraz Khan was left out of the team for the two Test matches against Australia in Nagpur (February 9-13) and Delhi (February 17-21).
- On the list, there were some well-known names as well. He will play in the T20Is against New Zealand, per the roster.
The BCCI revealed the lineups for the teams playing in the upcoming T20I, ODI series against New Zealand and the first two Tests of the four-match series against Australia on Friday. Prithvi Shaw’s return to the Indian team after 537 days was one of the biggest surprises.
There were some obvious names on the list as well. The T20Is against New Zealand will feature him, according to the roster. Additionally, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan received their first Test call-ups from the BCCI.
Surya had previously been selected as a replacement for the Test team for the home series against England, but this was the first time he was given a starting spot in the team.
Despite the surprises, Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the squad for the two Test matches against Australia in Nagpur (February 9-13) and Delhi left fans in disbelief (February 17-21).
In five matches for Mumbai in the current Ranji Trophy, the 25-year-old has amassed 431 runs, including two tonnes and a half-century.
The batter scored 982 runs in six games last season, averaging 122.75. Additionally, he hit four centuries. Many fans believed he should have been chosen over Suryakumar or Kishan, given his form.
Rishabh Pant’s unfortunate road accident, likely to have kept him out of action for about six months, makes Kishan’s selection as KS Bharat’s backup goalkeeper understandable.
However, choosing Suryakumar over Sarfaraz is sure to cause a lot of controversies. Particularly in light of the Indian team’s management, including captain Rohit Sharma, publicly declaring that they do not mix formats when choosing teams.
“It is disrespectful to the Ranji Trophy to choose Suryakumar Yadav over Sarfaraz Khan in Test matches. That person deserved to be called up more than anyone else because he has been one of the most reliable run scorers in First Class cricket. Again, this committee’s choice is perplexing,” a fan tweeted.
“It’s safe to say that with Ishan Kishan and SKY in the lineup, the value of Ranji’s performances has started to decline while public opinion has begun to gain more sway. Ishan is still understandable, but the SKY lineup bewilders me and won’t inspire confidence in players like Sarfaraz and Hanuma, “another wrote.
According to renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, “Very tough on Sarfaraz Khan, who has utterly shattered the first-class cricket door. You are limited to what he has accomplished.”
